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Supported Formats

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Orfeo plays MIDI files directly and converts several notation and tab formats to MIDI when you open them. This page lists every supported format and explains what happens to a converted file.

Supported formats

Format

File types

Typically comes from

MIDI

.mid, .midi

MIDI download sites, DAWs, keyboards

MusicXML

.musicxml, .xml, .mxl

Notation programs such as MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius and Dorico

Guitar Pro

.gp, .gp3, .gp4, .gp5, .gpx

Guitar Pro and tab sites

Capella

.cap

Capella notation software

Karaoke

.kar

Karaoke collections

How conversion works

  • Open a non-MIDI file the usual way (see Opening MIDI files).
  • Orfeo converts it to MIDI and saves the result as <name>_ORFEO_IMPORTED.mid next to the original.
  • Next time, the converted copy opens instantly. All editing tools work on it and save new versions from it as usual.

The original notation or tab file is never changed. Orfeo uses the notes and instruments; things like page layout, fingerings and printed lyrics aren’t shown.

From notation software

Notation programs often export MIDI with odd timing or instruments. MusicXML keeps the music far more faithfully, so export that instead:

  • In your notation program, choose Export and pick MusicXML (compressed .mxl is fine).
  • Open the exported file in Orfeo, or drag it onto the window.

 Tip

Sheet music you’ve bought as a PDF can’t be opened directly. If the publisher also offers MusicXML or MIDI, download that version to practise it in Orfeo.